Published by Aloto Naga | August 1, 2025
The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) Nagaland and NPP Nagaland strongly condemned the detention of Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh and demanded impartial investigation.
The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), Nagaland, together with the NPP Nagaland state unit, has issued a firm condemnation of the detention of two Kerala‐based Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. Describing the arrest as a violation of constitutional rights and religious freedom, both organizations called for an immediate and fair inquiry into the incident and withdrawal of what they termed “fabricated communal charges.”
In an official press statement, NPYF criticized the detention of the nuns identified as Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis alongside three Indigenous girls, saying the act “undermines India’s secular values and constitutional ethos”. They reiterated solidarity with Christian communities, demanding justice and protection of minority dignity.
The NPP Nagaland backed these demands, endorsing national party president Conrad K. Sangma’s appeal to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister for a just, unbiased investigation and urging swift corrective action.
- The detention has inflamed political tensions across states, drawing attention to alleged misuse of anti-conversion laws and rising intolerance toward religious minorities in BJP-ruled regions.
- Church groups including the Latin Catholic Council and Malankara Orthodox authorities have described the charges as unconstitutional, calling for immediate redress and punishing those responsible for such coercion.
- On the national stage, the Congress-led UDF and MPs from Kerala protested in Parliament and staged rallies, demanding urgent bail and fair treatment of the imprisoned nuns.
Profile of Nuns & Background
According to reports, the two nuns were traveling with proper documentation accompanied by three girls from Bastar district en route to Agra for employment when they were stopped by railway authorities at Durg station on July 25. A Bajrang Dal affiliate had accused them of forcibly converting the minors and trafficking them, leading to detentions under anti-conversion charges. Families of the girls have denied any coercion, stating the travel had parental consent and legitimate purpose.
Church leaders have since challenged the conversion charge, calling it a later addition intended to malign humanitarian service and undermine interfaith harmony.
Political & Inter-State Reactions
- Conrad K. Sangma, President of the National People’s Party, wrote directly to Chhattisgarh CM seeking intervention, signaling political urgency and sensitivity.
- Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the case as evidence of targeted persecution, while opposition parties nationwide demanded intervention and justice.
- Church authorities called for a nationwide ban on extremist groups implicated in filing complaints and influencing legal proceedings.
Outlook & Ongoing Developments
The public uproar and political mobilization have put pressure on authorities to reconsider the charges. National and state leaders alongside civil society and religious groups are demanding swift legal remedies, transparent investigation, corrective bail hearings, and guaranteed protections for minority rights and social service workers.
